"Your ancestors may have imposed limitations, Director Li, but they also preserved humanity while doing it," Atlas said as they descended from the command center. "That deserves acknowledgment, even if we disagree with their methods."
Sarah nodded in agreement, adjusting her tactical gear as they crossed the roof toward the emergency stairwell. "Five thousand years of successful containment is no small achievement."
"Success is relative," Li replied, falling into step beside them. "Each generation of my family has prayed we would be the last to bear this burden."
The stairwell echoed with their rapid footsteps as they descended toward street level. Through narrow windows, they glimpsed Shanghai's skyline distorting further, reality buckling around the Void Chamber Tower. Buildings stret
